Left to right Carol Devine, Marketing Martin House, Amy Thornton General Manager Stockled Park, Caroline Hudson Events Manager at Martin House with the certificate (S)

A bid for the largest gathering of Santa’s elves has been officially accepted by Guinness Word Records.

Clifford-based Martin House Children’s Hospice and Wetherby’s Stockeld Park this week said they have been notified that they set a new record of 1,110 last November, beating the previous by 348.

Hospice events manager Caroline Hudson said: “This was a fantastic event which involved the whole community and helped to raise £3,000 for Martin House.

“The hospice needs to raise nearly £5 million every year to be able to offer support to over 350 children and 150 bereaved families across the Yorkshire region and most of this money comes from fundraising activities, events and donations.

“Thanks to everyone who took part for braving the weather and helping us to smash the record.”

Young to old, individuals to clubs and schools braved the cold and wet to joind in the challenge set by the Clifford-based hospice at the winter theme attraction Stockeld Park.

Elves wore the event T-shirt, hat and elf ears and received a certificate commemorating the fact that they had been part of a world record breaking attempt.

Amy Thornton, General Manager at Stockeld Park added: “We have been supporting Martin House for a few years now as we think it is a brilliant local charity.

“We are delighted to have helped to raise money for the hospice and have brought the record to Yorkshire!

“The day was marvellous and definitely one to remember for everyone who took part.”

Martin House opened its doors to children and their families in 1987, becoming only the second children’s hospice in the UK and in 2002 it opened the UK’s first unit for teenagers and young people.

The facility provides family-led care for children with life-limiting illnesses.

Martin House is preparing its next major fundraising event with the Glitter Ball.

The event will take place on Saturday March 8 at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate and will follow a Las Vegas theme.

Last year’s event was held at Harewood House and took the form of a masquerade ball.

Organisers declared the event a huge success with more than 300 people present.

Tickets for the 2014 ball are £75 each. Tables can seat a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12.

Included is a champagne reception, three course dinner, live entertainment, raffle and auction.

For enquiries and for further details please email: events@martinhouse.org.uk